The construction project extends 10.2 miles south of Duluth on I –35.The state patrol is anticipating slow downs with the busiest times will be Friday afternoon and evening, and Monday as people are headed back home.

State Patrol has increased the number of officers on scene to help ensure a safe flow of traffic. The elevated level of officers will continue through June 2.

"And every year you know we have fatalities, not every year sometimes we will get through the holiday weekend without a fatality somewhere in the state we want that to happen where we do not have any fatality," says Steve Stombak, Captain at Minnesota State Patrol.

Strombak says this will be the first real test of how well the now one lane highway holds up to traffic.

There is the possibility of taking highway 23 but because the level of congestion is unknown MnDot is not recommending alternate routes at this time.